unharmed

UK: ʌnˈhɑːmd | US: ʌnˈhɑːrmd

Definition

  1. adj. not injured or damaged; safe from harm

Structure
un <not>harm <injury>ed <adjective suffix>
Etymology

The word "unharmed" combines the prefix "un-" (Old English "un-," meaning "not") with the root "harm" (Old English "hearm," meaning "injury" or "damage") and the suffix "-ed" (used to form adjectives). The logical progression is straightforward: "not harmed" → "unharmed." This construction reflects a common pattern in English where negation is added to a base word to indicate the absence of the root's meaning.

Examples

  1. The passengers emerged from the crash unharmed.

  2. Despite the storm, the house remained unharmed.

  3. The cat escaped the fight unharmed.

  4. The ancient artifact was found unharmed after centuries underground.

  5. She checked her child carefully to ensure he was unharmed.